Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-12-10

or said of these early social organiza-
tons among men. The word ''be-
ginning" implies that these people
under their progressive leader founded
and built other communities during
the process of his invasions. And ac-
cordingly we have an account of Nj
nevch, Rehoboth. Calah, and Resen.
The insignifcance by which many
would value their estimation of these
cities and communities is lost sight of
when we consider the broad concep-
ton the founders had when they
wished to build a tower whose top
should reach to great height.
The communities here named are
not all that were founded by this peo-
pie in this early age race. From the
time Canaan and his descendants took
possession of their allotted territory
until the bondmen and tribes from
Egypt entered it, according to the
best data. was about nine hundred
and sixty years. By this time several
generations had passed away. Strong
cities, with immense walls around
them, had been built, among which
were Arvad, Arka, Ribla, Sidon,
Shechem, Jebus, and Jericho.
A numerous posterity followed in
Canaan's line. and when the Israelites
encamped upon the borders fearful ap-
prehensions filled the mind as to
whether the fate of heaven would
work in the favor.
The testimony of the sacred writers
is sufficient evidence of the manners,
customs, condition and spirit of thrift
among the people. The cultivation
of the grape and the different cereals
or grains made this most desirable
country, besides the spontaneous pro-
ducts found there. The aviary tribes
deposited large quantities of honey
into the rock and other crevices, and
the pasturage being so fine made it
literally land flowing with milk and
honey The following are some of
the descriptions given in sacred Writ
respecting the country about the time
the Israelites were contracting for its
possession "And it shall be when
the Lord thy God shall have brought
thee into the land which he sware un-
to thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac,
and to Jacob, to give thee great and
goodly cities, which thou buildest
not, and houses full of good things,
which thou filledst not, and wells
digged which thou diggedst not, vine
yards and olive trees which thou
plantedst not. Then beware lest thou
forget the Lord who brought thee forth
out of the land of Egypt, from the
house of bondage A land of wheat
and barley, and vines, and fig trees,
and pOmegranates land of oil olive.
and honey" When Israel entered
this country, troups for national de-
Tense were collected and the whole
nation was aroused by the sound of
the brazen trumpet of war For
seven hundred years, surging armies
were interviewer alternately into ii
tanic bolts of war. Victories, defeat,
concessions and treaties marked the
standard of conquest or vanquishment.
National treaties subsisted between
the different communities, and often
times as many as five Kings would
combine for mutual defense. A final
extirpatiOn of all the original inhabi-
tants was never made, but the Israel
ties took nominal possession of the
country, for so it was decrced in the
providence of God in carrying out his
plains in the history and development
of the race. The Canaanites still held
possessions of many of their ancient
strongholds, and enjoyed many privi-
leges in the land.
Contracts, deeds, &C., for land and
property were common among the peo-
pie. Abraham bought a graveyard
from the sons of Heath, in which he
and all his family were buried
Heth was the second of Canaan